Yankee Brew News Archive

Pub Review: Morganfield's

Originally Published: 01/96

By: Mark E. Hall

OK, so you're sitting at the bar looking at a beer selection of 30 taps and approximately 85 bottles of beer. What do you choose? Sounds easy, doesn't it?

Adding to the equation is Bo Diddley knocking it out in the background; or could it be Matt "Guitar" Murphy? The surprising thing, is that it is their music coming out of the speakers, but it isn't a tape. It's live right on stage behind you. Sounds far fetched doesn't it? Wrong.

If you love blues and brews, you've found your place. Morganfield's in Portland, Maine is the name, and great Blues is their game. Opened in June of 1994 by Ed Noyes, Morganfield's combines two major interests in Ed's life; The Blues and the brewing industry. Thought of as a lark in its early planning stages his lifelong dream became a reality when he grabbed the rental option on a building just on the outskirts of the "Old Port" section of Portland.

It took two years of planning to come up with the right equation, but Portland needed something like this due to the strong support of other smaller blues clubs in Portland. This ties in nicely with the microbrewery explosion going on in Portland, and in Maine.

According to Ed, two years ago he reached a crossroads in his life and began to think more and more about his dream of opening a blues club. "Two years ago I sat down and thought about what I really wanted to do. The brewing industry in the U.S., particularly in Maine, was heating up and the blues were beginning to make a mark in the music industry. I didn't see any major obstacles and thought I could present my ideas in a way this area has never seen."

The name Morganfield's was coined after blues great Muddy Waters, a hero of Ed's, whose real name was McKinley Morganfield. After choosing the name, Ed traveled around the U.S. gathering ideas at various blues festivals for his new venture. At each event, he noticed that there was more than one stage in operation at any given time.

In addition to the main stage, there were other stages with smaller, more intimate settings. Since "traditional American" music was created on America's front porches, Ed decided to create his stage in the image of Muddy Waters' front porch. However, there was a slight problem.

Muddy's residence at Stovall Plantation in Mississippi was partially destroyed by a tornado 15 years ago. But through extensive research at the plantation, and with various records provided by The Library of Congress, he was able to piece together a stage bearing an uncanny resemblance to the original.

The building on the corner of Free and Center streets was the home to many previous restaurants in Portland. With the Old Port area branching out due to expansion, and with a location right across the street from the Cumberland County Civic Center, Morganfield's is located in a prime spot.

Over the nine months since its opening, Morganfield's has seen growth and is looking forward to growing even more. With great national acts as Bo Diddley, Matt "Guitar" Murphy, "Mighty Sam" McClain and "Smokin' Joe" Kubek, Morganfield's is hitting an audience that loves the blues, but is also enticing first-timers with specific acts.

Once you enter Morganfield's, you are mystified by a stage that resembles Muddy Waters' front porch. The tables are in close proximity to the stage, putting you right on top of the action. All performers who have been to Morganfield's like the intimacy and say it helps to build rapport with the audience. In addition to the location of the stage, the acoustics are wonderful as they have been engineered from the bottom up.

While you are enjoying the entertainment on stage, you can look at a beer menu consisting of 30 drafts and approximately 90 bottles. Of the 30 drafts offered at Morganfield's, approximately 25 are from Maine as Morganfield's likes to showcase great talent as well as great beers. The beer bottle menu has an excellent selection of ales and lagers that would satisfy anyone's palate.

The selection is primarily domestic, with a few imports thrown in for good measure. If you're not sure of what to have, you can try the Morganfield's $2 draft special(a different beer every night) which is good until closing. Or if you can make it in for happy hour (4-7 p.m.), all drafts are $2. This will give you an excellent opportunity to try some of Maine's best beers.

Morganfield's menu is constantly being updated with the goal of marrying the beer and food. Your choice of beer will undoubtedly go well with the Beer Chili, Macaroni & Cheese (the best I've ever had - honest!), BBQ Chicken Breast Sandwich and some of their other fine menu choices.

Morganfield's isn't just blues. If you're into playing an instrument, you can come to "Randall's House Party" on Monday nights(Randall Morabito is the house engineer for all shows) where you can sign up and "jam" on stage. This has become pretty popular among the local musicians. Also, if you're into something louder, Morganfield's has "Mojo Night" on Thursdays, usually with a local band and the $1 Beer "Mojo Bin".

If you're strictly a blues person, make plans to show up on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights and you'll see a good show. The problem is, Morganfield's has become so popular that some shows have sold out three weeks ahead of time. If you want to get tickets, you can pick them up at the box office, or you can order by phone with a credit card. They will send you tickets via mail (if you call one week ahead of a show) or you can pick them up in person.

If you missed someone the last time they were at Morganfield's, never fear. Most of the artists have had such a good time performing at Morganfield's, they've asked if they can come back. Ed's answer is usually yes.

Morganfield's sets itself apart from the other blues clubs in Portland for many reasons. There is bigger seating, larger acts, great sight lines, comfortable sound and a great beer list. It's as simple as that.

If you're looking for something different and like blues and brews, you can kill two birds with one stone. Morganfield's is at 121 Center Street (corner of Free and Center streets) Portland, Maine. Call 207-774-5853.